SECURITY has been beefed up at Margate Retirement Village and police are investigating, after four cottages were burgled on Monday, June 30, between about 9.30pm and midnight.
According to Hibiscus Retirement Villages chief executive John Webster, the burglars had gained access to the cottages through windows and a door. Although no one had been hurt, a 91-year-old resident had been confronted by two burglars, he said.
The residents in the other three cottages had not seen the burglars. Jewellery, a torch, cash, some liquor and a laptop had been stolen from the cottages.
“No televisions were removed and the burglars certainly did not sit down to a meal in a cottage, as was rumoured. There is evidence they took food out of a fridge and ate it on their way to the next cottage,” said Mr Webster.
He said the police had taken fingerprints at the scene of the crime and were checking to see if the prints were on record. All contract staff in the village had been identified and fingerprinted. The point of entry, over the eight-foot electrified fence, had been established and been secured. Other measures were being put in place.
“Let me say at the outset that management takes this matter very seriously. We are continually looking at security and upgrading, wherever possible, the fence line, the lights and anything else that may make it more difficult for burglars to gain access to the village,” he said.
He was most grateful no residents had been hurt. Pointing out that the police had apprehended the burglars who had entered the property last year, he said those criminals were now serving time in jail, thanks to the same team that was now working on the latest burglary case.
